Dear Cooper

Dear Cooper,

Two years ago yesterday, you came home. To be honest, we had no idea what we were getting into. Cooper, I say this with all the love in my heart, but you are one difficult dog!

When you were a pup, we took you all sorts of places and introduced you to people and dogs. But your natural personality is really fearful, so it was tough on you. You’re still so scared of new experiences, and you’re not fond of strangers. We’re working on it… but you’re also quite stubborn!

You push around your big brothers. If they pick up a toy, you clobber them until they give it up. Even if you don’t want to play with it. But you sure do love Emmett and Lucas. You follow them around, try to do what they do, and snuggle up every chance you get.

You love nothing more than to get in the garbage, and you figured out how to open doors, so we have to be crafty, keep everything closed, locked, or up high.

You’re brilliant, Cooper. You can learn any trick in a matter of minutes. In fact, we ran out of ideas for things to teach you and ended up working with a trainer on some more advanced tricks. I’m thinking about signing you up for agility in the spring. I hope it’ll keep you busy, exercised, and build your confidence!

You bark. A lot. You pick fights. You pull on leash. But, Cooper, you are the sweetest boy I have ever known. You prefer to be snuggled up against someone, so you nestle onto my lap every night. If I sit on one end of the couch, you sit right up against me even if the rest of the couch is free. When I get up in the morning, you nestle into my side while I hit the snooze button. You choose to sit with me while I work all day rather than going off to play with your toys or your brothers. You are the most loyal guy. You are a challenge, that’s for sure, but your sweet, loving, snuggly moments make all those difficult moments worthwhile. And we’re going to keep working on your confidence, my man, because I want the rest of the world to get to know you, to see you for the darling boy you are!

I can’t believe it’s already been two years since you came home… but it feels like you’ve always been here. Happy Gotcha Day, Cooper! I love you, little one!